The Associated Press
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia -- Cambodia is considering opening the famed Angkor Wat temples at night to draw more tourists to the impoverished country, an official at the archaeological site said.
Similar night tourism efforts have been introduced at other sites in Southeast Asia.
Cambodia already has installed some lights at the network of centuries-old temples, said Bun Narith, who leads the agency responsible for managing the Angkor park.
Tourism is a major foreign currency earner for cash-strapped Cambodia. More than a million foreign tourists are expected to visit this year, with most from South Korea, Japan and the United States. More than half of tourists visit the Angkor temples, by far the country's biggest draw.
Visitors are now ushered out of Angkor at sunset, but authorities are considering extending visiting hours to as late as 8:30 p.m. local time.
"We want tourists to see all views of the temple, even in the dark places where they may have not have seen some of the sculptures and statues," Bun Narith said.
But conservationists have long expressed concerns about tourism's impact on Angkor. They say the uncontrolled pumping of underground water to meet the rising demand of hotels and residents in the nearby town of Siem Reap may be destabilizing the earth beneath the temples.
Similar night tourism efforts have been introduced at other sites in Southeast Asia.
Cambodia already has installed some lights at the network of centuries-old temples, said Bun Narith, who leads the agency responsible for managing the Angkor park.
Tourism is a major foreign currency earner for cash-strapped Cambodia. More than a million foreign tourists are expected to visit this year, with most from South Korea, Japan and the United States. More than half of tourists visit the Angkor temples, by far the country's biggest draw.
Visitors are now ushered out of Angkor at sunset, but authorities are considering extending visiting hours to as late as 8:30 p.m. local time.
"We want tourists to see all views of the temple, even in the dark places where they may have not have seen some of the sculptures and statues," Bun Narith said.
But conservationists have long expressed concerns about tourism's impact on Angkor. They say the uncontrolled pumping of underground water to meet the rising demand of hotels and residents in the nearby town of Siem Reap may be destabilizing the earth beneath the temples.
8 comments:
What an excellent idea!
Also, we can certainly use additional revenue to curtail the poverty in Cambodia.
PPU
with the revenue from tourism in Siem Reap i hope there will not be any beggers children in the street.
what don't understand is why some political bias people or individuals tend to pick on cambodia all the time as if cambodia is the bad one all the time. look around other countries like thailand for example, they have lighting system at their unesco or ancient temples, etc, why people don't make a big fuss about that; why only pick on cambodia all the time when cambodia is getting ready to do something for a change? it's not fair and very bias, to say the least! this is i and many more khmer people like myself have problem with big mouth and moto-mouth people who are good for nothing but critic and more critic! get lost already and leave cambodia alone. we survived for over two thousans years as a nation; we are not born yesterday, you know! god bless cambodia and all our beautiful khmer people and citizens.
2:28 AM?
Well, first don't be too bloodily defensive in your response, ok?
Secondly, you Ph.D from Hanoi guys are defending and protecting your personal interests, not Khmer's interest as a nation/country, because the world knows already that you guys are under the influence if not the short and tight leash of the freaking Viet commie, Hanoi (and don't jump off your chair just yet, please?).
After all these times, since you had begun to exploit, to steal, to plunder and to rob Khmer blind (in more than one instance), how much if any, have you Viet-slaves helped Khmer people to survive?
If the record shows anything at all, it is simply that you continue to beg for more from the outside world while you continue to grab land and to sell off anything Khmer that you can put your hands on....and most importantly to finish off the weakest native Khmer left over from the killing field whereby the Viet had had their bloody hands in it...
furthermore...2:28 AM,
Where are the pros and the cons study analysis of your efforts to boost up tourism at Anglor Wat if any you Viet-boy Ph.D from Hanoi?
Take your money out of your pockets (or secret accounts) and put it where you mouth is, please?
See you boys with Ph.D from Hanoi later...Until then behave yourselves, okay?
5:34 AM
If your comment serves your ignorance and stupidity, I won't stop you.
Pi Anh: PPU
Please stop blaming each other, we are Cambodians, Khmers we must unite for the development of our beloved Angkor Land. Facing the Thai super hegemony, we try hard to hail for the real development of the country.
Be good to every body: Khmers.
Thank you.
Mi. choss k'ourth PPU, mi jumkourt. How much do you know about having light at night in Angkor Wat could be good for the temple? You just fucking yes because ah Youn Sok Kong wants more money into his own pocket.
Well, Don't blame me for I am of course the son of a slut, adulteress, fornicatress, hussy, jade, and loose woman Viet...
PPU
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